You must be fed up with your greasy and stinky dishwasher; that’s why you are browsing “How to Clean a Dishwasher?.” Luckily, you hit the right spot; in this blog, we will learn why a dishwasher needs to be cleaned, how to clean a dishwasher, how often dishwashers should be cleaned, and how to keep a dishwasher clean.

Your mind may be confused with questions like these: Why does a dishwasher need to be cleaned, and why is my dishwasher dirty inside? So, I am going to answer all these questions.

Why does a dishwasher need to be cleaned?  

The notion of cleaning your dishwashing appliance may seem bizarre to some people. They may think that it may clean itself automatically, or they may ponder why a cleaner should be cleaned. But all these thoughts are hypothetical, and dishwashers must be cleaned. Therefore, to understand why it needs cleaning, we must first understand how it works. 

How does it work?  

This machine works on a simple principle comprising of following components:  

1. Detergents    

The detergent we put in our dishwashing machine is sprinkled on the dishes by a mechanism that your dishes by breaking food particles. 

2. Wash System   

Its wash system is the core of its cleaning process. Water is drawn from the spray arm to clean the dishes with water pressure. 

 3. Heat System   

The heating system is also a crucial component of this appliance, as a heating system provides an optimal temperature for the detergent to break down food particles. Moreover, hot water kills any unwelcomed particles on the dishes and cleans them effectively.  

Why is my dishwasher dirty inside?   

You must think that a dishwashing machine is cleaner itself, so “why is my dishwasher dirty inside.” As we understand the mechanism of a dishwashing machine, we know that a dishwashing machine is always full of piles of dirty dishes being washed with hot running water and dish soap or detergent. While cleaning dirty dishes, it may get stubborn deposits of food particles, grease, and soap leftover, especially on its edges and services. Soapy water can also damage the utensil holders of dishwashers.

Best ways to clean a dishwasher  

To clean a dirty dishwasher is not nigh-on impossible, but it’s tricky. You have to use different cleaning methods for each part. For example, a method that may be effective for its door may not work for its filter. We will discuss the apparatus we will need for cleaning a dishwashing machine and the best ways to clean a greasy and stinky dishwasher. We will also explore how to clean different dishwashing machine parts.

Apparatus to clean dishwasher

You may need the apparatus mentioned below to clean your dishwashing appliance more effectively. Most of the things on this list are readily available.

• Rubber Gloves 
• White Vinegar 
• Unsweetened Lemonade mix
• Baking soda 
• Bleach 
• Damp cloth 
• An old toothbrush or washing brush
• Dishwasher cleaner tablets if you want to clean your appliance thoroughly.

How to clean a dishwasher naturally?  

If you want to clean your dishwasher without chemicals having a foul odor or you don’t want to go to the market, then it’s pretty okay. Cleaning your useful appliance is easy peasy. You can find all items needed to clean it in your home.  

White Vinegar  

Vinegar used in our kitchens is not only valuable for cooking, but it’s also a great cleaner and a fantastic disinfectant. White vinegar or distilled or spirit vinegar has been used in homes for thousands of years. It has been used for both cooking and cleaning purposes. But wait! You must be thinking, “how to clean your dishwasher with vinegar.” So, here is the answer.  

Take distilled white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe cup and place it in the middle on the top rack of your dishwashing machine. Then run its cycle on high heat. After the cycle has been completed, use a damp cloth to wipe your dishwashing machine. This method will not only rinse buildup but also disinfect the dishwashing machine.  

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, which is brown, also has cleaning and disinfecting characteristics. It can also be used to clean your dishwasher in a similar way white vinegar is used. After the end of the full cycle, wipe it with a microfiber cloth. It can also remove stuck-on food bits from your dishwashing machine. It will also rinse off mineral buildup and sudsy water stains.

Baking Soda  

Sodium Bicarbonate or baking soda is also a marvelous cleaning agent in your kitchen. After the finishing of the vinegar cycle, sprinkling it from the top to bottom rack can deep clean your dishwashing machine. To clean effectively, adjust the hottest water setting possible. Let the dishwasher cycle complete, and it will be odor free. Constantly cleaning the dishwasher door by using baking soda to make it shine.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is another readily available cleaning agent. Place unsweetened lemonade mix in a dishwasher-safe bowl in its upper rack and run a short hot water cycle. After the hot water cycle is completed, wipe with a dry cloth. Acidic lemon juice will rinse off the buildup of soap leftover. 

Rubbing Alcohol  

Rubbing Alcohol also has disinfecting powers. If the exterior of your dishwashing machine is made up of plastic, then you should avoid using vinegar on it. Instead, you can use rubbing alcohol to clean it. Add rubbing alcohol to a microfiber cloth and then use it to wipe away fingerprints.

Other Ways to Clean dishwasher

Following are some other ways to deep clean your appliance.

Bleach

Bleach is a common household chemical that is indeed good for cleaning and disinfecting a dishwashing machine. But how to clean your empty dishwasher with bleach, it’s a cinch. Pour 1 cup of bleach into its bottom rack or put bleach in the dishwasher safe-bowl on its top rack, then run a full wash cycle at the hottest setting. Don’t use bleach if your appliance is made up of stainless steel. 

 Hydrogen Peroxide  

Hydrogen Peroxide is a powerful whitening, cleaning, and disinfecting agent for dishwashers. Make its solution with water. Pour this solution into the dishwasher-safe cup on the top rack, then run the machine for the wash cycle at the hottest setting possible.

Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets  

If you want a thorough cleaning, then dishwashing machine cleaner tablets are best. One of the best product is True Fresh Cleaner Tablets. These tablets help your dishwashers in getting rid of grease, limescale, mineral deposits, hard water stains, and other debris. True Fresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets are powerful enough to clean all of their visible and non-visible parts where water can reach. They are compatible with Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, and all other famous and non-famous dishwashers.   

You may be pondering “How to use True Fresh Cleaner Tablets“ but anyone can do it. Just place a tablet in the bottom rack of your dishwashing machine if you’re running it full of dishes and dishwasher detergent for washing dishes in its detergent dispenser. But if you have an empty machine, then put the tablet in its detergent dispenser. Now run a normal wash cycle. And cleaner tablets, along with hot soapy water, will thoroughly clean your dishwasher.

If your dishwashing machine has a lot of buildups, food particles, and stains, then put one cleaner tablet in the bottom rack of your dishwasher and another in its detergent dispenser.  

How to clean a dishwasher parts

Empty your dishwasher

Before cleaning, you must empty your appliance. It doesn’t matter which method you are using, either through baking soda or dishwasher cleaner tablets; you should empty it. Then, it will be easier to get rid of food residue and remove lingering odors. It will also ease you in garbage disposal.

How to clean a dishwasher door? 

If the utensil holder of your dishwashing machine is on the dishwasher door, then remove it and clean it separately. Take ¼ cup of bleach or baking soda and 1 quart of water. Mix them well and make a solution. If your dishwasher door is made of stainless steel, then don’t use bleach. Also, try to avoid bleach on the rubber seal of its door as it can damage it. Using an old toothbrush, scrub the inside and outside of the door with the cleaning solution. It will remove leftover food stains and fingerprints from the door. Clean the rubber seal of your dishwasher door with lemon juice.

How to clean a dishwasher’s exterior?

A dishwasher’s exterior can also be cleaned with baking soda or bleach. Pour solution, made by mixing bleach or baking soda with water, on a damp cloth. Then with the help of that cloth, clean your dishwashing machine exterior(Don’t apply bleach to its stainless steel parts ). After that, using a dry cloth, wipe its exterior.

How to clean a dishwasher interior?

To lean your dishwasher interior, you can use the same method used for the exterior. But be careful about the stainless steel interior. Baking Soda or dish soap can be used to clean the stainless steel interior of your dishwashing machine. 

How to clean a dishwasher filter?

To clean the dishwasher filter, use a soft brush to scrub the inside gently and outside of your dishwasher filter. The best way to clean your dishwasher filter is to soak the removable filter in a mixture of vinegar and water.

How to clean your dishwasher arm sprays?

Arm sprays of dishwashing machines are essential in cleaning dishes. To clean them, first, unscrew and detach them. Then clean them using a detergent.

How to clean your dishwasher drain hose?

A drain hose of your dishwashing machine connects the dishwashing machine to the garbage disposal or your sink. If it is clogged, it can affect the functional capacity of your dishwashing machine. Check the owner’s manual to unclog it.

How often should a dishwasher be cleaned?

If you want your dishwashing appliance to work efficiently, you must thoroughly clean it with the following routine.

• Daily: You should remove the leftover food pieces from your dishes.
  
• Weekly: Wipe its door and edges. Remove its filter and clean it.
  
• Monthly: Clean your dishwashing appliance thoroughly and let your dishwasher door open for a while.
  
• When Needed: If any part needs cleaning at any time, clean it. And have its proper service.

How to keep your dishwasher clean

You should remove the food chunks from the dishes before putting them into the dishwashing machine. Wipe its door and exterior regularly. Clean its filter weekly and take care of its arm sprays to save it from rust.

Conclusion

A dishwashing machine should be cleaned by any means at least once a month. Before cleaning, make sure that it is empty. The easiest way to clean your dishwasher is through True Fresh Cleaner Tablets. These tablets are cost-effective, fantastic cleaner, and even better than vinegar, baking soda, and bleach.